Learn

The London Classic is underway!

The press conference

Magnus Carlsen started just as he finished last year - in the lead! His win occurred at the expense of David Howell, who was unable to cope with various threats coming from different directions, the Englishman's king being insecure whatever he tried.

Hikaru Nakamura was able to activate and more or less nullify White's opening. Although Kramnik had bishop against knight, this gave no real winning chances.

Michael Adams temporarily sacrificed a pawn for some positional pressure with only heavy pieces on the board. Anand played solidly, gave back the pawn and kept his queen active in the queen endgame, thus equalizing.

Levon Aronian played out the most double-edged game of the day with Luke McShane. Unusual complications eventually ending in perpetual check.

The first round:

White

Country

Rating

Result

Black

Country

Rating

Moves

Opening details

Vladimir Kramnik

RUS

2800

0.5-0.5

Hikaru Nakamura

USA

2758

45

Catalan with ...dxc4

Levon Aronian

ARM

2802

0.5-0.5

Luke McShane

ENG

2671

42

Chebanenko Slav

Magnus Carlsen

NOR

2826

1-0

David Howell

ENG

2633

40

Spanish with d3

Michael Adams

ENG

2734

0.5-0.5

Viswanathan Anand

IND

2811

49

Sicilian Najdorf

Nigel Short (England, 2698) will be sitting out the first round whilst helping out with the live commentary.